Chicago Bears Meet With Multiple Offensive Weapons As Camp Begins
The Chicago Bears are finally convening for the start of training camp. Players report on July 25th, with the first practices starting the next day. Excitement is already building. However, it appears the team isn’t quite finished making tweaks to the roster. Rumors persist that they’re hunting for help at edge rusher. It was also reported that they’re one of two teams pushing to sign veteran cornerback Arthur Maulet. Even that isn’t the end of it. Now further details have emerged, this time on the offensive side.
Jordan Schultz of The Score and Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network both reported that the Bears have worked out three players this morning. One was wide receiver Isaiah Ford, and the others were tight ends, Jared Pinkney and Roger Carter. Ford is the most prominent of the three. He was a 7th round pick of the Miami Dolphins in 2017. While he never emerged as a starter, he did contribute with 51 catches for 520 yards between 2019 and 2020. He also caught two touchdowns in 2021. While not overly fast, he has good size (6’2), body control, and route-running skill.
Pinkney and Carter don’t have any statistical footprint in the NFL. However, both have experience playing in a wide-zone offense from their time under Sean McVay in Los Angeles.
The Chicago Bears likely seek some extra depth.
Chase Claypool is on the PUP list with camp about to start. That means he will be missing practices. How many is unknown, but it’s worth noting he’s been shelved since the start of OTAs. So whatever he suffers from has been lingering. Ford gives the Bears an extra camp body with some experience. As for tight end, the Bears face uncertainty behind Cole Kmet and Robert Tonyan. Jake Tonges, Chase Allen, and Stephen Carlson are their current options. Perhaps Pinkney or Carter can make a positive impression.
Pinkney was a productive pass catcher in college at Vanderbilt, going for 774 yards and seven TDs in 2018. Carter served in the H-back role at Georgia Southern, doubling as a tight end and fullback. The H-back is said to have a prominent place in a wide-zone offense. Thus far, the Chicago Bears haven’t been able to find anybody that can fill the role. Maybe one of them can. Either way, it’s clear the team is hunting for some added depth as they prepare for a long and grueling camp.